The Diners Club Winelist Awards have honoured the best wine lists in the country for over two decades. This year 225 restaurants from the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng submitted wine lists for judging by a select panel led by Publisher of the Platter’s by Diners Club Wine Guide and convenor of the Winelist awards panel, Jean-Pierre Rossouw. 

“This year we tightened the standards and set expectations higher – so kudos to the restaurants that rose to the challenge,” says Rossouw. “The Diamond award is becoming a more and more prestigious achievement and we congratulate the entrants that offer diners high quality winelists.”

Diners Club has a long history of supporting the wine industry. The response to this annual competition confirms the high standard of restaurants around the country and the significant choice our cardholders have when it comes to eating out. The Diners Club Winelist awards are a benchmark for excellence in the restaurant industry.

21 Kwa Zulu Natal restaurants were recognised this year, and awards were presented in Gold, Platinum and Diamond categories.

Seven restaurants received Diamond awards; 11 Platinum awards were presented, as well as three Golds. 

‘We are delighted with our Award, enthused General Manager John de Canha “The essence of the Beverly Hills (https://www.tsogosun.com/beverly-hills ) lies in culinary excellence, and this Diamond Award endorses the high standard set by Tsogo Sun (https://www.tsogosun.com). Our unique offering of rare auction wines (https://www.tsogosun.com/restaurants-bars/our-wine), certainly enhance our Wine list. We look to welcoming our guests to experience for themselves.”

Elaborating on the judging, JP Rossouw says: “As the premium Award, we expected Diamond lists to carry correct vintages throughout as well as offer diners a good selection of interesting wines in all styles. We also required reserve and international wines to be present on the list. As ever, good wine descriptions, or the presence of a sommelier, was vital.”

In addition to convenor, JP Rossouw, the judging panel comprised leading wine industry experts and media, including Neil Grant, Jenny Crwys-Williams, Roxan Waldeck, Tinashe Nyamudoka, Pete Goffe-Wood and Karen Visser.

The winners are as follows

2017 Diners Club Winelist Awards

Diamond Awards

• The Oyster Box Hotel - Best Diamond KZN
• Beverly Hills Hotel (https://www.tsogosun.com/beverly-hills )
• Big Easy Durban by Ernie Els
• Granny Mouse Country House & Spa
• Hartford House
• The View Boutique Hotel & Spa
• Umngazi River Bungalows & Spa 

Platinum Awards

• 9th Avenue Bistro
• Butcher Boys
• Casa Bella - Ballito
• Casa Bella - Pearl Walk
• Market Restaurant
• Surf Riders
• The Gorge Private Game Lodge & Spa
• The Hussar Grill - Gateway
• The Hussar Grill - Kloof
• Three Trees at Spioenkop
• Turn n Tender - Ballito 

Gold Awards

• Cargo Hold on the Promenade
• Col’Cacchio Pizzeria - Gateway
• La Vitae Restaurant 

Photo Caption: Dustin Scott (Diners, KZN)  and Nomande Dlamini (Beverly Hills)

About Tsogo Sun

Tsogo Sun is the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 100 hotels in South Africa, Africa, the Seychelles and Abu Dhabi.

The company’s hospitality interests offer a wide distribution of hotels in Africa, providing world-class accommodation across all markets, including elegant, individually branded luxury hotels and well-known trusted market leaders in the premier through budget segments, including Southern Sun Hotels, Garden Court, SunSquare, StayEasy and SUN1 hotels.

The exciting urban and resort casino portfolio includes the most popular entertainment destinations, strategically located throughout South Africa. In the Gauteng province, Tsogo Sun owns the group’s flagship property, Montecasino in Fourways, which features, amongst other attractions, the award-winning Teatro; Gold Reef City Casino and Theme Park in Southern Johannesburg; and Silverstar Casino to the West in Krugersdorp. Additional properties are owned and operated in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, including the jewel on Durban’s Golden Mile, Suncoast Casino, Hotels and Entertainment.

Tsogo Sun is proud to be a Level 1 B-BBEE Contributor with 135% B-BBEE procurement recognition status, 62.1% black ownership and 34.4% black women ownership.  Tsogo Sun invests substantial resources into developing skills, supporting emerging businesses, nurturing communities and creating awareness about the importance of conserving our environment.